Hunter Relishing

DOLPHINS

His Chance To Prey

October 15, 1993|JASON COLE Staff Writer

DAVIE — Four games of pent up aggression paid off in a big way for Jeff Hunter.

For the first quarter of the season, Hunter was forced to find different ways to deal with not playing. When he got the chance, he helped the Dolphins deal the Cleveland Browns a 24-14 loss last Sunday. Now he wants to let his aggressions out on a regular basis.

Hunter started at right defensive end in place of Marco Coleman. It was the first start of his four-year career. He finished with a team-high seven tackles, including one sack, and was tested from the start. The Browns called seven of their first eight plays to Hunter's side and went at him regularly with their running game.

"They wanted to find out if I was the link weak, if I wasn't mentally prepared to play," said Hunter, who had been inactive for the first four games of the season. "I'm glad they did come at me because it proved to me that I was doing the right things in concentrating. ... I was very frustrated because you go through practice with the intensity of preparing for game day and then the chance to play is taken away."

That chance probably won't be taken away for a while. Hunter is the Dolphins top reserve defensive end now that David Griggs is out for at least six weeks after knee surgery. Coleman, who has a broken left hand, will return Oct. 24 against Indianapolis. But Hunter seems certain to get plenty of playing time.

"He played a fine game," defense coach Tom Olivadotti said. "He has been very good about not playing. He's very positive and sometimes those are the guys who make teams over the guys who might have a little more talent."

Hunter's talent has been in question most of his career, which began when Phoenix drafted him in the 11th round in 1989 out of Division II Albany State. He played for Buffalo and Detroit before joining the Dolphins last season. In the previous three years including playoffs, he had only 26 tackles but 11 were sacks.

"He's a guy who makes plays. He gets pushed around in there a little bit, but he's always running and hustling to make the play and he comes up with the tackles," Olivadotti said.

Hunter joined the Dolphins last season after being cut by Detroit, a move that puzzled him. In 1991, Hunter never started, had only 16 tackles in 16 games, but led Detroit with six sacks and had another sack in the playoffs. The Lions have been searching for pass rushers for the past three years and they let their best one go.

"They were drafting so many guys that I guess I just didn't fit in," Hunter said. "That's fine, I came here and got a chance."

Hunter (6 feet 4, 291 pounds) is the Dolphins' biggest defensive lineman. He was tied for third in tackles during the exhibition season but couldn't get into the active lineup.

"It's hard because you're coming in and everybody is working," Hunter said. "You don't feel like you're getting a chance. ... I just figured that they were waiting to use me later in the season."

That might not be completely logical, but it worked. When you're standing on the sideline, there's a lot to think about.